Synonyms of circulate

circulate

verb

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

1

as in to disseminate

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people

circulate the plans for the new stadium around town to get people's reaction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminate
• propagate
• spread
• transmit
• broadcast
• impart
• dispense
• communicate
• convey
• diffuse
• disperse
• radiate
• dissipate
• pass (on)
• scatter
• sow
• sprawl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (in)
• conceal
• secrete
• hide
• obscure
• contain
• veil
• restrict
• mask
• limit
• enshroud
• cloak
• shroud

2

as in to rumor

to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy

circulated a rumor that someone was about to be fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumor
• whisper
• reveal
• suggest
• imply
• tell
• report
• hint
• noise (about or abroad)
• disclose
• gossip
• bruit (about)
• spill
• expose
• propagate
• divulge
• promulgate
• publicize
• proclaim
• dish
• spread
• bare
• tattle
• insinuate
• blab
• intimate
• broadcast
• let on (about)
• bandy (about)
• blaze

3

as in to spread

to become known

the prince denies the story about an extramarital affair that's been circulating in the tabloids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spread
• get out
• unfold
• out
• break
• tell
• come out
• reveal
• get around
• develop
• leak (out)
• get about
• get round
• disclose
• transpire
• spill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• hide
• conceal
• disguise
• mask
• secrete
• hush (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of circulate

One poster circulated a photo of Newell at campus orientation alongside a photo that came out during the aftermath of the lawsuit. — Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

That is the window in which the field’s claims about fewer side effects, meaningful efficacy at low circulating doses and consistent oral absorption either hold up or don’t. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

The Bureau of Prisons denied circulating reports that Combs had gotten into a fight with a prominent drug kingpin. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026

Stories had circulated in that neighborhood for two or three years, among bowmen and gun hunters, of a big buck with an unusual rack. — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026